Description

When Shannon Cutts and Pearl first met, she was still mourning the sudden passing of her first cockatiel, Jacob. The last thing she wanted was to fall in love with another baby parrot!

But one look at the tiny grey ball of fluff as he cowered in a corner to avoid being bullied by his bigger and stronger nest mates, and Shannon just knew – they belonged together.

A lifelong parrot lover but by no means experienced at caring for cockatiels, Pearl quickly becomes the teacher and Shannon, his willing and eager student.

From negotiating victuals preferences to socializing with the parrot-phobic, making home improvements to avoiding the dreaded V.E.T., Shannon learns from her feathery sidekick how to meet his basic needs, offer extra enrichment, nurture and care for him, and be nurtured and cared for in return.

Pearl, in turn, opens a window for Shannon into a refreshing new world full of self-acceptance, self-respect, trust, laughter, love, and FUN. In Pearl’s world, everyone is a potential new friend, every mirror reflects prettiness, every meal is a celebration of good food and good company, and each new day is a great day to celebrate being YOU.

Many years after their first meeting, Shannon and Pearl are still blissfully joined at the beak. Love & Feathers is their story.

I have always loved all animals, but birds have become my heart. And that is why I like your book so much. You touch the bird in me. READ ELLEN’S FULL TESTIMONIAL-Ellen Cook, DVM

Wonderful snippets of an adorable bird and his devoted keeper. A new perspective of acceptance, love and understanding. –Delia Holland

Shannon, I just finished your book. It’s the best book I’ve ever read. I absolutely loved it. I’ve had books that I quit reading from the library because I get bored so easily. I could not put it down. I read every word. Thank you so much! You really are a special bird mom! And Tort mom as well! – Marta Crabtree

Dear Shannon, not only is Pearl beautiful, but he is great at teaching others lessons in recovery and acceptance!
-Love, Megan (recovering from an eating disorder) & Dermott (parrot)

I started to read your book – I had no idea what to expect…. It’s delightful. I’m not really a bird person, but find myself sucked in. I really like that it’s both this personal conversation and really factual, instructional. It made me think about how a loving pet companion might plug up some of the holes in my life.
–Marcelyn McNeil, artist and cat lover

I am loving reading this book! I don’t want it to end so perhaps there is hope you will continue writing about life with Pearl in the future.-Marcy Schrum